NASHVILLE, Tenn.-
After falling behind 1-0 in the 36th-minute against the Belmont
Bruins in the Keydets second match in the Mafiaoza Invitational. VMI managed to
knot the contest at 1-1 in the 57th-minute on a goal by junior David Rochow. The tie
was broken in the with only 15 minutes left to play however, as Bruin forward
Edgardo Padilla secured the game-winning goal to send the Keydets to the 2-1
defeat.
VMI (0-5, 0-0) fell behind in the
36th-minute after a Will Moorad score on a helper
from teammate Alex Jenison. Jenison beat a Keydet defender and fed Moorad, who
slipped his shot past VMI junior goalkeeper Taylor Feuerstein to take the 1-0
advantage.
The Keydets didn't lack offensive
punch in the opening stanza of action, as VMI
matched Belmont (2-3) in shots with eight in the first half. In the 57th-minute of play
the Keydets were rewarded for their offensive push, as junior Matt Seinfeld served a
free-kick into the 18 that found the head of classmate David Rochow. Rochow's
header beat Bruin goalkeeper Lou Manning for his third career score and knotted the
match at 1-1 with 33 minutes left in the match.
Belmont took the lead for good
in the 76th-minute of play, as Pedro Miranda sent a
cross in from the left flank, finding the foot of Edgardo Padilla who sent a shot over
the head of Feuerstein for the game-winner.
The Bruins outshot VMI 10-7 in the second half to take an 18-15 shot advantage,
while the 15 Keydet shots were a season-high. Seniors Ayao Sossou and Stewart
Wilkinson had three shots apiece on the match.
Feuerstein made five saves in the loss to Manning's four stops, while Belmont had
seven corners to VMI's four.
The loss marks the fourth time
this season the Keydets have lost a match by a one
goal margin. Additionally, Rochow and Feuerstein were named to the all-tournament
team for their efforts in the weekend tourney that also featured Georgia Southern.
VMI returns to road action on
Fri., Sept. 16 as the Keydets venture to Macon, Ga., to
take on the Mercer Bears. Kick-off from Bear Field is slated for 7 p.m.
